I've decided to change my blog to Wordpress so that it will be a more interactive community, meaning if you leave a comment to a post, I can respond back to you. Also, it seems to offer more if I can figure it all out. But, mostly, to be interactive. You get it.

I won't be blogging for the next few days to get the new website going and to transfer archives, but please feel free to visit. I would love for you to subscribe and and start following my blog at the new address.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Comparison is good if we are searching for cars but not when we are comparing ourselves to others. It is never difficult to find someone better or worse than we are - by human standards. Our reality, however, is found in Christ.

When making a comparison, it only makes sense to compare ourselves to perfection. In that comparison, we see our need for a Savior. With Christ as the plumbline, righteousness is the goal and nothing less.

But there's more... Do you know that "in Christ" you are already righteous?

"And because of himyou are in Christ Jesus, who became to uswisdom from God, righteousness andsanctification andredemption."

(1 Corinthians 1:30)

He has declared us righteous, is perfecting His righteousness in us and will complete His work at His return. We need not compare ourselves to others.

The next time you're tempted to compare yourself to someone in regards to looks, material possessions, talent, marital bliss/lack thereof, perception of spiritual maturity/lack thereof, or anything else, remember your reality and righteousness are found in Christ. He is the standard by which we measure.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Did you know you can freeze pesto? That's a good reason to make it in bulk. I separate mine into sandwich bags (about 4 T per bag), but you can also freeze it in ice cube trays. Ingredients:4 cups fresh packed basil leaves5 cloves garlic1 cup grated parmesan cheese (I cube mine)salt/pepper to taste (remember parmesan is salty)2 cups extra virgin olive oil (drizzle as being processed)Pesto calls for pine nuts, but I don't use them, probably because they are not a staple in my house.Serve with pasta and grilled chicken.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

WOO HOO! The idea of this slapped me in the face! The more we struggle with a problem, the more likely we are to define ourselves by that problem. I've learned to preach the gospel to myself and identify myself by what Christ has done on my behalf, BUT I have always struggled with my weight. So, I am tempted to define myself by that struggle and others I face. How would you define yourself? Divorced, depressed, addicted, angry, abused, adulterous, dishonest, impatient, gluttonous?

Your struggle may be with one of the above or something different, but if you are in Christ, you are first a child of God. Take 1 Peter 1:3-9 to heart. Did you hear that?

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness...

Whatever name-calling you're inflicting on yourself, Christ has His own name for you. Find a list here.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

"God designed us to live in community, first with him and then with one another. According to the Bible, personal change is a community project. In fact, it is in the process of change that we really begin to see our need for one another." Paul Tripp

Too many times, we do not see our need for others. Honestly, I don't think I started living in community because I was humble enough to see my need. I think I started because I believed others when they said enough times You have to be with others to grow. I took their word for it, although cautiously, and had to see for myself. I have to agree with Tripp: Once the heart is transformed in community, we see our need. Maybe we don't see our need because we haven't taken that first step into real community.

Others see in us what we can't see in ourselves. Other believers provide grace, direction, and encouragement at just the right time. In seeing these things for myself and finding community to be an agent for change, no time soon do I want to step out of the safety of community - not until I'm in the safety of eternity.